post traumatic stress disorder basic things you should know.

Have you ever never thought about something but then seeing a particular thing brings back memory of that event again? Making it look so real as if it is happening at that moment, most times this thought are either negative or positive ones, they are often memorable events that’s had occurred sometime I the past. If that memory is a positive one, we would sure have a good laugh, we giggle, we smile or even tell the story to the next fellow seated beside us. But what if it’s a negative event? Today we would be discussing basically about PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder),  do you know that more than 1.5 million cases of PTSD have been recorded in Nigeria alone, if you’re in a hurry you can check out my Instagram page (health_blogger2) for picture story and still learn something new, but if you want to learn in details under the next 5 minutes stay with me.

PTSD is a disorder that occurs in people who has witnessed or experienced a terrifying event, who’s yet to recover. It could be anyone, a child, teenager, young adult, adult, most people think it is mostly common among military combat veterans because they fight more often and witness a lot of deaths and killings.

WHO IS AFFECTED? Anybody can be affected however some persons are at the higher risks of getting affected by PTSD, they are those that had;

• ·         Witnessed a terrorist attack
• ·         Rape/ assault
• ·         Natural disasters
• ·         Terrifying accidents
• ·         Robbery
• ·         Military veterans
• ·         Fire fighter
• ·         Emergency police unit worker
• ·         Domestic violence
• ·         Bullying

SYMPTOMS

 Everyone is peculiar to their own symptoms as their event are different but however similar, lets categorize this symptom generally. one may experience some of the following; nightmare, flash back, fear. anxiety, mistrust, insomnia, social isolation, irritations. Most times behavior changes as a result of the kind of event, anyone that has been abused by a particular gender tends to avoid been in lonely places with such gender, if it’s a car accident he or she might want to get a driver or drive only during the day or with someone, while experiencing this, negative thoughts floods in almost all the time, if the events that occurred could have been avoided they’ll blame themselves for it, feelings of guilt comes in, he or she would disengaged himself from any form of relationship that would serve as a reminder to that event, hence social distancing, staying in their shells, loneliness comes into play.

TREATMENT

Treatments includes different psychotherapy that goes alongside some medications to ease pain or enable individuals to sleep when having insomnia or any other effect. Only clinical psychology is required hence the need for a doctor as it cannot be cured at home.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

 Most times people experiencing PTSD might not be open enough to let anyone in to help, if they decide to be open about their feelings do know that they trust you enough to talk to you, don’t be in a hurry to listen or fill up the conversation with you understanding how they feel or you knowing or reading a writeup somewhere that relates with what they say, instead wait and listen, allow them express themselves, ask them sensitive questions, observe their body language, some might be angry enough to hit the wall or table, take off all harmful equipment,  do they need a hug? Or a just want to be heard, as some might ne super sensitive, please be patient with them. Where I come from most people are very judgemental, why did you go there? What where you doing in the first place? When speaking to them do NOT judge them., you can also assist them by doing the following;

·         Enrol them for counselling ( when they are ready do not push too hard)

·         Understand their triggers (Very important)

·         Allow them express how they feel.

Not too worry, there is hope even after experiencing PTSD, as these experience don’t totally define a person it is more or less like embarking on a journey that would last for weeks, months which definitely has an end, after undergoing this journey he or she would come out stronger and in the long run want to help others too.

Do you experience any of the above? Or you’re a friend or family do? You can reach out to us via Email or reach out to Mentally awareness initiative Nigeria (MANI).

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